How to Make a Watermelon Embroidered Clutch

Summer is all about fruit prints and bold patterns. Embrace the season with a stylish clutch stitched with watermelon motifs. Inspired by a $198 Anthropologie clutch, this DIY hack will only set you back $15. You can also use this embroidery technique on tote bags, T-shirts and even jeans.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Things You'll Need

Faux leather clutch (a shade of pink or red)

Washable marker or pencil

Embroidery floss (green and black)

Hand-sewing needle

Scissors

Protractor

Tip

The clutch must be made of thin, lightweight material, such as faux leather, canvas or cotton. The sewing needle must be sharp. These two factors will make stitching the clutch a breeze.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Promoted by

Step 1

Create watermelon rinds by drawing curved lines using your protractor and a marker or pencil.

Start at a number on the left side of the "90" mark. Continue drawing until you reach the same number on the right side of the "90" mark. This project used the "50" mark.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 2

Repeat several times across the clutch. The total number of curved lines depends on your preference.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 3

Cut a long strand of green embroidery floss to use as the rind. The length of this strand will depend on the size of each curved line. As a rule of thumb, cut more than you think you need. Be sure not to separate the individual threads of the floss.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 4

Insert the floss through the sewing needle. Tie the ends with a tight double knot.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 5

Select a curved line to start stitching. Starting at one end of the line, insert the needle from the behind the fabric.

Warning

Do not stitch through both layers of the clutch. Otherwise, you will not be able to store items in it. In order to stitch through the top layer, unzip the clutch first.

Other People Are Reading

Step 8

Pull the needle until you can not pull any further. This step completes the first stitch. Make sure the stitch is flat and taut before continuing.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 9

Re-insert the needle from behind the fabric, 1/4 inch away the first stitch. Then pull the needle through. Be sure you're following along your curved line.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 10

Re-insert the needle from the front of the fabric. The re-entry point should be right next to the first completed stitch.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 11

Pull the needle and thread through. This step completes the second stitch. Again, make sure the stitch is flat and taut.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 12

Repeat Steps 9-11 until the whole curved line is stitched with green floss.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 13

Along the inside of the clutch, tightly tie the thread. Cut away the excess.

This step completes the first watermelon rind.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 14

To create watermelon seeds, draw 5-7 small dots below the green stitching. Place the dots at equal intervals, using your eye to approximate the distance.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 15

On one dot, create a single stitch -- a small diagonal line -- with black floss. Create a single stitch according to Steps 5-8.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 16

Stitch a second diagonal line over the first. Make sure this line is slanted in the opposite direction from the first. This step creates a tiny "x." Again, create a single stitch according to Steps 5-8.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 17

Repeat on all of the dots.

Tie the thread and cut away the excess, just as you did in Step 13. This step completes one full watermelon.

(Image: Embroidered Watermelon Clutch)

Step 18

Continue Steps 3-17 until the clutch is completely covered in stitched watermelons.